Maybe...

Was he bored by her? Was her sarcasm too much? Was he going to say he'd rather have a fake breakup tonight and not have her as his date for the wedding tomorrow so he could enjoy the buffet of bridesmaids, with the maid of honor as the main course?

I had a great time hanging out with you, Stella, he'd say, but I'm going to let you off the hook for tomorrow night. You don't mind, do you? And of course she would have to say no, she didn't mind.

And she'd have to go return that hot red dress.

"Yeah?" She pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders.

Maybe you could come get ready for the wedding in my hotel room? You know, so everyone sees you leaving from the hotel, not that I think that people think we're lying, but Amy seemed a little suspicious or something, and then you wouldn't have to . . ."

"That makes sense." She cut him off, trying not to show how relieved she was. "What time?"

His smile widened. He had probably gotten everything he wanted in his life with that smile. Who was she to break the pattern?